MCN new S10 write up

[offcamber]

The problem I see with these types of reviews is, manufactures look at it and think this is what buyers want....an ADV bike that goes well over 100mph....accelerates like a jack rabbit carves curves like a sport bike.....and they don't really care that much about off-road performance or durability. So they build these hot rods that make the magazine writers get all excited about give it a this is the best bike ever review. Meanwhile the true ADV bike is bashed as being lackluster.....

IMO all bikes are fun to ride....

I still have the best time on my KLR...

::021::

 

[Travex]

With every bike I've owned my opinion of it changed daily until I became fully comfortable exploiting both it's capabilities and weaknesses, the S10 being no exception. I give no credence to any review of any product that hasn't been fully tested in all it's intended conditions and environs. Anything short of that in print is just pablum.

It's clear that MCN's approach to review is shortsighted (if only) based upon their 100mph remark. A minimum week-long stateside (or similar) evaluation period would be a much better metric to draw one's conclusions from, rather than groveling to full page ad clients. Only then could an honest and informed appraisal begin to be formed.

Too much attention being paid to too little wisdom.

There's no shortage of forums and resources where owners extoll there allegiances to their machines. It's great to see so many people excited about that which they love. As a rule I don't read the rags and prefer to get real world feedback from those forums. I read much more than write about the S10 and I'm grateful for the great minds, opinions, humor and consideration here.

I lurked before I bought, and consider that my happiness with the S10 is in no small part attributable to you who had been early adopters and had shared your experiences so well.

::003::

 

[Philistine]

Well, the so called lack of power is one of the reasons I bought this bike, I know what i'm like, and if I had sports power under me I would use it, and then loose it (my licence that is). this bike "I think" has all the power you could ever want for the type of riding I do, its controllable and predictable (even with the TC turned off) and like others have said, it makes you content to sit on the speed limit, but I have found that I can keep up with an average rider on a sports bike in the twisty's. I'm sure in the dirt they wouldn't keep up with me. Any faults I could say about this bike are very miner indeed, all in all this is a very good well rounded bike at a great price.
And don't forget the higher the rev's and horsepower output the faster the engine wears out.
As things stand now with the bike market, if I was replacing my bike, I would go with the 2014 S10 without hesitation ::022::

 

[Rasher]

The problem I see with these types of reviews is, manufactures look at it and think this is what buyers want....So they build these hot rods that make the magazine writers get all excited about give it a this is the best bike ever review.

Good point there, and many others in this thread.

The UK Bike press is very out of touch, sportsbikes sales have slumped, all the people I know (quite a few) who have swopped sportsbike for Adv bike have wanted to slow down as sportsbikes have become too fast for our roads, we had far better roads with far less traffic when the GPZ900R was the fastest bike on the planet - now "Adventure" bikes are hitting similar speeds and any sports 600 will have more power and a much higher top speed than the 900R.

In the Alps last year I probably stayed in Hotels which added together had about 40 bikes outside, I only recall seing two sportsbikes (well Sports-tourer to be more exact) a couple of Multistrada's and several KTM's / GS and there were two other S10's at one Hotel - more S10's than GSXR's / ZX10R's / CBR's / R1's all added together.

I doubt these magazines ever ride a bike in a normal fashion, certainly never go anywhere other than faster roads at flat-out speeds, I am not saying the S10 would be any better on a tour of the Alps than the KTM or Multistrada, but it would certainly not be much worse - throw in cheaper servicing, better dealer support, excellent reliability, shaft drive and all the other factors important to real people parting with their own hard-earned cash and it is right up there.

 

[Z750jay]

I agree with the wanting to slow down bit. The S10 is the first bike I have had that seems 'happy' plodding along at 70-75 mph. The previous 3 (DL1000, Z750 and Fazer 600) all wanted to go much faster. Even my old XVS650 seemed to like sitting at 85. On the autobann in Germany of cause

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

[Salmon Sam]

It seems a prime knock in UK magazines is "value" relative to other adventure options. The ST is so much more over there relative to the GS or KTM. Why are Japanese bikes that much more expensive in the UK? Is it just a proximity thing? They are the value bikes here in North America and European bikes are the "premium" (in initial cost and maintenance). ::022::

 

[GrahamD]

It seems a prime knock in UK magazines is "value" relative to other adventure options. The ST is so much more over there relative to the GS or KTM. Why are Japanese bikes that much more expensive in the UK? Is it just a proximity thing? They are the value bikes here in North America and European bikes are the "premium" (in initial cost and maintenance). ::022::

I'll agree with that, as in other industries "value" seems to that which appears in the spec sheet Vs price. This has caused, in the case of the Audio industry for instance, some very over the top megalomaniacs delights full of lots of really crappy "stuff" all crammed into a really crappy box, with lots of "marketing power" stickers slapped on the front. Ever seen the 1000W stickers. That's "marketing power" the real power is usually around 25.

Many people that wanted quality went back to simple bare bones equipment that was quality, Then of course the marketing heads found out about that and took that to extremes.

Anyway the point is, it keeps the industry churning, people buying, trading often, and landfill operators busy. Those people that bought simple quality stuff that lasted 20 years were a thorn in the side of the marketing department, which magazines are a part of.

As with the Audio industry, generally, once the new owner has showed all the friends the "stuff" done a few wheelies down the street and settled into normal life again, all they pretty much do is what they did before. Twist the throttle and ride sanely. Until the Go-Pro comes out....

 

[cakeboy]

and on the question of ...lack of power.... i think the S10 has been built a bit down on power to make the engine as strong and reliable as possible for the job it has to do ...

 

[Welsh wizard]

We all do this - swear we'll never read the bloody rag again and then get sucked in. Before the s10 I had 2 TDM900's, the first was a loan bike when my vfr800 let me down big time. Like many I had read the press reviews on the TDM [TeDiuM] and yawned when it was offered on loan - soon changed my mind and bought it, was faster on long road trips than on my vfr, combination of upright comfort/ vision, mpg and good real world performance. Like here, strong owners forum laughing their heads off at the ignorance of the press and delighting in being on a relatively scarce [UK] bike -they love 'em in Europe. My S10 is a grown up TDM, my pillions love it and it does everything from commute into London to scratch and tour brilliantly. Only done a little off road but confidence growing.

Must admit I'm about to ride it to Great Dunmow this morning to ECU Unleashed- looking forward to the ride back and keep you posted!

 

[Rasher]

Must admit I'm about to ride it to Great Dunmow this morning to ECU Unleashed- looking forward to the ride back and keep you posted!

Your going to love the ECU-U setup ::008::

Funny you mention TDM's, a mate has one that has about 70k on the clock and rides fine, he still uses it for everything from commuting to Alpine tours, trying to convince the Mrs this may be the ideal upgrade from her V-Strom as she wants more grunt.

 

[twinrider]

I also came from a TDM900 to the Tenere. And years ago I owned a '99 VFR800, cracking bike though never let me down.

 

[Mikeybikey57]

Must admit I'm about to ride it to Great Dunmow this morning to ECU Unleashed- looking forward to the ride back and keep you posted!

Did the same myself late last year and I just know you're going to love what it does. Remember to stop short shifting and just W.O.T. ::26::

 

[Welsh wizard]

;D Oh Boy! - I know many of you have posted re the ECU flash- but wow, - wasn't unhappy with the stock bike but right from the off [ or at least as soon as I hit 2nd] it just takes off. Couldn't stop scratching back roads of Essex [ thank you to the 2 Harley riders who gave me advance warning of police hand held radar!]; smiling through a whole tank of fuel. Give one to the idiots from MCN and see what they say- though admittedly not a lot more at the top end but getting there...... Many superlatives and many thanks to the guys at Race engineering at Great Dunmow.

 

[creggur]

;D Oh Boy! - I know many of you have posted re the ECU flash- but wow, - wasn't unhappy with the stock bike but right from the off [ or at least as soon as I hit 2nd] it just takes off. Couldn't stop scratching back roads of Essex [ thank you to the 2 Harley riders who gave me advance warning of police hand held radar!]; smiling through a whole tank of fuel. Give one to the idiots from MCN and see what they say- though admittedly not a lot more at the top end but getting there...... Many superlatives and many thanks to the guys at Race engineering at Great Dunmow.

Seems to be the general consensus...overwhelming consensus...ah hell, I think every post-flash post has pretty much been this.

Welcome to the party!

 

[twinrider]

;D Oh Boy! - I know many of you have posted re the ECU flash- but wow, - wasn't unhappy with the stock bike but right from the off [ or at least as soon as I hit 2nd] it just takes off. Couldn't stop scratching back roads of Essex [ thank you to the 2 Harley riders who gave me advance warning of police hand held radar!]; smiling through a whole tank of fuel. Give one to the idiots from MCN and see what they say- though admittedly not a lot more at the top end but getting there...... Many superlatives and many thanks to the guys at Race engineering at Great Dunmow.

::008::

 

[Rasher]

We did tell ya ::008::

I think the top-end is never gonna be great (or needed) on an S10, even with the Flash, I have arrow headers as well, these free up quite a bit of top end, but the HUGE low down drive still makes it feel a shade flat up top, I am sure my bike pulls a fair bit better at high speed (it is now over 10% more powerful up top) but the feeling is still as if the power is stacked below 6k - conveniently where myself (and probably every real owner) spend 99% of our time.

The flashed bike would not make any difference to MCN as they never let the tacho drop more than 500rpm from the redline on any test, some sort of Journo code of conduct where it is compulsory to thrash the f*** out of everything they get their hands on....

.... I think they believe this makes them cool and manly, and is how "real bikers" will ride - You know the ones who pose around their own postcode (Zip code) on a Saturday afternoon riding up and down the high street, or gathering at a motorcycle dealers to exchange stories of bravado and occasionally putting it the back of a VAN so they can make a pilgrimage as far as 100 miles away to do a track day.

I do have to admit I was once surprised by a magazine taking a few sports tourers to the Black Forest (400 miles from UK) and actually bought the magazine as I owned one of these beasts back then.......

...... only to find the stuffed a Busa, ZZR1400 and K1300 in the back of a Van - that is the UK press idea of touring, I think for "Adventure Touring" they just wait form BMW to fly them to a 5* Hotel with a bunch of GS's lined up, they then go for a spin around the block before engaging in getting smashed at BMW's expense and sent home with a promise of a billion quids worth of advertising if the review reads well.

 

[Boris]

Just a different slant on the write up from MCN.

I struggle to understand why it's caused so much irritation? Did you need the nod or thumbs up from MCN prior to purchase? Will a brilliant write up make your bike any better, will you enjoy it more? If they write a top notch road test on the S10 will we/you be happy, or do you/we accept the positives but not the negatives.

Some of my biker mates like my bike, some don't. Some think their bikes are better, some don't, that's just how life is.

I buy my bikes for me, for my needs and after my own research from current owners. I seek no one elses approval prior to purchase, I don't need it after. My bikes remains the same regardless of how great or cr@p someone else says/thinks it is.

Happy riding ::008::

 

[snakebitten]

All true.
But it would be nice to see one major publication actually discover the virtues of the Super Tenere, and then go on record with it. It would even be ok to include the complaints, as long as it isn't the stupid stereotype ones.
(It's too heavy and you can't disable ABS)

It's like it's our word against the experts. Only need ONE respected expert to keep it real and we might get over the whole thing. lol

 

[Old Git Ray]

..............
I struggle to understand why it's caused so much irritation? Did you need the nod or thumbs up from MCN prior to purchase? Will a brilliant write up make your bike any better, will you enjoy it more? If they write a top notch road test on the S10 will we/you be happy, or do you/we accept the positives but not the negatives.
..............

Of course opinions are opinions. We all have them and most UK S10 riders are testament to the fact that we do not need a thumbs up from MCN. However, to my mind they are testing the wrong bike under the wrong conditions. Like testing a plumbing system with a multimeter. They have good reasons to do this....

The bike was designed as an adventure bike from the ground up (I know this as I now know the guy that designed it). It is not a sports bike and 100 mph speeds, whilst fun now and again are, as others have said, not what the bike is about.

Adventure bikes should be hardy and reliable. Breaking down in the middle of nowhere without a phone signal is not funny.

The second generation of the S10 is fundamentally the same as Gen 1. Why ? because it did what it was intended to do the fist time around. It is a feather in Yamaha's cap that they have tweeked some of the gripes that were voiced about it.

The other thing is that they dare not say anything bad about the great BMW GS/GSA for fear of being cut out of their advertising revenue. On the day the Gen 1 S10 was tested, there was 3 1/2 pages of BMW ads. This time there was one full page. We now know (from published market research) that the BMW is unbelievably unreliable. That fact or suggestion is never mentioned. When Kevin died on one last year, the fact that he was on a BMW motorcycle was not even mentioned. They just said he was testing a motorcycle in South Africa.

We have had the bike in the UK for 4 years now and it has proved to be incredibly reliable. The problems it has had have been generally minor and not show stoppers. This second test was an ideal opportunity to mention this fact that obviously could not be commented on when it was first tested.

In short the MCN tests are driven by financial constraints, not real world testing. If MCN were less bias there would be less animosity toward it.

It has been a long while since I bought the MCN, (partly due to being abroad riding my ultra reliable S10 for the last year,) but after this pathetic review it will be a long time before I buy another.

MCN is dying on its feet. It used to have about 40 pages of bikes for sale in it and lived on the advertising revenue, now it is down to about 5 or6 pages (I cant check - its in the bin).

 

[Old Git Ray]

;D Oh Boy! - I know many of you have posted re the ECU flash- but wow, - wasn't unhappy with the stock bike but right from the off [ or at least as soon as I hit 2nd] it just takes off. Couldn't stop scratching back roads of Essex [ thank you to the 2 Harley riders who gave me advance warning of police hand held radar!]; smiling through a whole tank of fuel. Give one to the idiots from MCN and see what they say- though admittedly not a lot more at the top end but getting there...... Many superlatives and many thanks to the guys at Race engineering at Great Dunmow.

I shall be paying Simon a visit in the next couple of weeks to get my flash updated. He did a full tune up for me including a PCV last February. The bike was incredibly powerful but the extra power sacrificed smoothness so I had to dumb it down somewhat for my intended use (I disconnected the O2 optimisers). The top end had 10% more power and the mid range in lower gears was about 30% more. It was great for overtaking trucks whilst carrying over 300kg.

Does yours have a PCV and/or O2 optimisers ?

I just wondered if they will still be required after the reflash.